GP-DX understanding Problem (RA Axis)

ive got an understanding issue with my new GP-DX. I dont get how the RA circle works

from left to right. theres an Arrow pointing to the black circle and a noniusscale on the green metal casing.
it would make sense if these + the black scale are used to find objects. BUT the small thumbscrew fixes the blackscale to the casing, which means it wont move if you rotate the scope around the RA axis.
The next ring with a scale(the shiny/silver/white one) is fixed to the axis, but i take it that this one is for the polarscope if i attach the protective cover im not even able to see that scale.
this is what i would see when im done setting the scope up. the black scale is fixable and isnt fixed to the axis. How am i suppost to use that if bose scales are fixed to eachother o_0

It is a little confusing. If I recall--I have never used the tiny setting circles on GEMS much--you Leave the screw loose during object location. When you are on an object, you tighten it down so the RA reading will remain the same as the mount tracks. The black scale is a vernier to increase your accuracy somewhat.

en you are on an object, you tighten it down so the RA reading will remain the same as the mount tracks.

This would mean the ra axis and the ra circle dont have a hard connection, otherwise it would block the ra axis too if i tighten the thumbscrew.

Right now my ra circle is just "floating" on the ra axis. sometimes it moves sometimes it doesnt. i already opened the whole thing. but i dont see how this should work :/. circle and axis obviously can be connected with a screw -> would render the blocking screw useless

I'm not at all sure what you mean by "hard connection." You tighten the little screw above the circle to _keep it from changing as the scope tracks_. If you do NOT do that, your RA circle's reading will become progressively farther off. If it sometimes moves and sometimes does not move, you don't have the thumb screw either loose or tight enough.

It's free to move so you can align it with local time. The polar scope has to be aligned with the pole, so it is separate.

I know this sounds odd, but at the end of the day, they aren't really all that useful. It is vastly easier to point at an object (like Vega or Sirius, for example), and use it to set the setting circles if you want to use them.

losening the setscrew has virtually no effect. it still wont turn with the ra axis (its not connected to it in anyway, it just touches it)

if i losen the setscrew and put the protective cover on, the ra circle will be fixed, because the drag of the protective cover on the circle overcomes the drag between the circle and the axis. the cover is just an example it doesnt even need that much drag to stop the ra circle from moving. even without any resistance at all the ra circle wont follow properly

exactly. and i want to know why my isnt doing it/ how the ra circle should be connected to the axis, because i can not find anything about it :/ i even took it apart but there is nothing to connect the axis with the circle.

I own a GP-DX and I have to agree with Rod. Now it's possible that the ring is loose and that you need to somehow tighten it on the shaft so it has better grip and rotates with the shaft. Mabe just applying some tape on the shaft so it fits more snugly could do the trick.

I have one too, i'll try to take a look at it when I get home this evening.

Do I need some kind of auto tracking or GOTO interface for the auto tracking with GP-DX mount? I have just the GP-DX fitted with RA and DEC motor and DD-1 two axis controller. I can move the scope with the controller to both axis, but I do not know how to activate auto tracking.

When stationery, I can hear the GPDX motors ticking away, so I was under impression that they are auto tracking, but when I check the EP, they are not.

I suspect you have MT1 motors and a basic guiding handset.
If you can find an old Vixen Skysensor 2000 it might help. I fitted a Skywatcher Synscan goto drive set to my Vixen SP but the Ioptron drive set will also fit.